Overview
- Voting is underway with mail ballots out and a Nov. 4 special election set to decide whether the Legislature’s congressional map replaces the citizen commission’s lines.
- Prop. 50 would install a Legislature-drawn map through 2030 that nonpartisan analysts say trades fewer two‑way city and county splits for more three‑way splits and could yield up to five additional Democratic U.S. House seats.
- Barack Obama’s new 30‑second spot urges a Yes vote, warning Republicans want to “steal enough seats … to rig the next election,” as campaigns report more than $150 million raised across the main committees.
- A SurveyUSA poll of San Diego County conducted Oct. 9–13 found 51% of likely voters backing Prop. 50, with notable undecided shares, while other recent surveys also show modest leads for the measure.
- Process fights continue as California Republicans challenge the fast‑track maneuvering even after the state Supreme Court let the ballot go forward, and GOP-led states such as North Carolina move to redraw maps as part of the national battle for House control.